Santa Monica Daily Press, April 3, 2015

Page 1

1760 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401

310.393.6711

Parking | Kitchenettes | WiFi Available

BOOK DIRECT AND SAVE SeaviewHotel .com

Starting from

88

$

+ Taxes

Santa Monica Daily Press FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

Volume 14 Issue 123

LAWN REPLACEMENT SEE PAGE 3

‘Witches of East End’ author brings book festival west YALLWEST co-founder thriving in young-adult genre BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN Daily Press Staff Writer

Matthew Hall editor@smdp.com

ASSESSMENT PHASE BEGINS TO RESTORE CHAIN REACTION On April 1, the long-awaited launch of the assessment of Chain Reaction, Santa Monica’s landmarked art piece will begin. According to officials, assessment is needed to determine the integrity of the interior structure and the scope of work required to restore it. Chain Reaction has a structural steel interior frame, a fiberglass shell and copper chains on the exterior of the artwork that are in various conditions. The fiberglass shell will also be tested for strength. Due to the unique shape, a conservator and a structural engineer will examine the sculpture to design scaffolding that will provide the necessary access to conduct the assessment. After the assessment, recommendations will be made to the Landmarks Commission for the restoration. The scaffolding is scheduled to remain in place throughout the assessment and until the repair work is complete. Chain Reaction, designed by American editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad, was installed on Main Street in 1991 and designated a landmark July 9, 2012 by the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission. For more information about Chain Reaction or for updates on the progress of the restoration project, visit the Architecture Services Division page of smgov.net.

CITYWIDE Melissa de la Cruz has seen firsthand the cultural powers of the young-adult genre. An author who lives in Southern California, she has made the New York Times bestseller list, had a novel (“Witches of East End”) adapted into a Lifetime series and crafted a tale about the children of famous Disney villains. She is also a co-founder of YALLWEST, the young-adult book festival that will be held April 1112 in Santa Monica. As a preview, de la Cruz shared her insights on the local event, the state of the genre and more in an interview with the Daily Press. Daily Press: Elaborate on your involvement in YALLWEST. Melissa de la Cruz: I’ve been

involved in YALLFEST, the Charleston festival, since its first year and run the development and fundraising arm. DE LA CRUZ After four years of organizing a festival in the South, we thought it was time to bring it home. It’s a wonderful festival that really celebrates teen books and the kids that read it. It has a joyous, zany atmosphere that really differentiates it from the usual book event. I’ve been to so many. YALLWEST is very special. DP: What aspect of the event are you most looking forward to? MdlC: We were able to bus in about 500 school children from less privileged sections of Los SEE BOOK PAGE 5

Lord of the rings: Ballet dancer finds oasis on Santa Monica beach BY TONY CAPOBIANCO Contributing Writer

THE BEACH The traveling ring set that

Tony Capobianco editor@smdp.com

SWING: David Block stays in shape at the Santa Monica beach.

sits on the beach serves as a monument for the bold and the amazing that makes Santa Monica unique a place to watch the seemingly skilled amateur acrobats fly around, letting the rhythm of the rings be their guide. It’s almost like each of them is

performing a solo ballet. David Block knows plenty about how that feels. At the age of 20, Block is a member of the Los Angeles Ballet. A Long Island native with Ukrainian heritage, he grew up with a dual passion for soccer and dancing. “I loved soccer,” Block said. “Dance was just something my mother wanted me to do for discipline and to have my posture. I still played soccer and loved soccer and

Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339 In today’s real estate climate ...

Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com www.garylimjap.com

I didn’t really care much for dance. Until I was 15, when I reached a level where I knew if would continued, I would be a professional.” Right after his high school graduation, Block migrated out west to audition for the Los Angeles Ballet and aced it. It wasn’t long until he got his first exposure of Santa Monica and its beautiful beach. SEE RINGS PAGE 5

BACK OR UNFILED

TAXES? ALL FORMS • ALL TYPES • ALL STATES SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA

(310) 395-9922 100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800 • Santa Monica 90401


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Santa Monica Daily Press, April 3, 2015 by Santa Monica Daily Press - Issuu